Early NMDA receptor-driven waves of activity in the developing neocortex: physiological or pathological network...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Computational Neuroscience

Background:

• Developing cortical structures exhibit coherent activity patterns crucial for network maturation.
• Understanding these patterns at cellular and circuit levels is vital for identifying developmental brain disorders.
• Deviations in the timing of these patterns can significantly impact neural network development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the maturation of coherent activity patterns in developing neocortical structures.
• To emphasize the intrinsic and synaptic cellular properties unique to the immature neocortex.
• To highlight the role of extracellular glutamate in controlling network excitability and synchronous activity.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on neocortical development and network activity.
• Focus on cellular properties (intrinsic and synaptic) in the immature neocortex.
• Analysis of the role of extracellular glutamate in modulating network excitability and activity patterns.

Main Results:

• Coherent activity patterns provide a framework for neocortical network maturation.
• Specific intrinsic and synaptic properties characterize immature neocortical networks.
• Extracellular glutamate critically influences network excitability and triggers synchronous activity waves.

Conclusions:

• The timely expression of coherent activity patterns is essential for normal brain development.
• Understanding these developmental patterns aids in comprehending pathogenic processes.
• Extracellular glutamate is a key regulator of early neocortical network function and maturation.